The Commission on the Future for America’s Veterans had a tremendous start to their national "Conversations" tour in Charleston, West Virginia in January. West Virginia's veterans and political leaders packed the State House Chamber for the Commission's "Town Hall Meeting" to share their views on what veterans deserve and will need decades from now.

West Virginia’s Governor Joe Manchin, as well as the State's Adjutant General of the National Guard, Secretary of Military Affairs, and Director Veterans Affairs all addressed the Commission. National leaders from The American Legion, VFW, DAV, AMVETS, and PVA also made the trek from Washington to help kick-off the "Conversation" in Charleston.

And in a state where the coal industry is so important, it was refreshing to see the West Virginia Coal Association and the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) come together in support of the Commission. In fact, fellow Vietnam veterans Cecil Roberts (President of the UMWA) and Peter Lilly (COO of CONSOL Energy, a major coal company) stood shoulder-to-shoulder in the Statehouse while backing the Commission.

But perhaps the most poignant and powerful messages the Commission heard came from veterans themselves who spoke about their experiences, their needs, and their hopes for the future of their fellow veterans. It was a fantastic beginning to the Commission is calling "Conversations on the Future for America's Veterans."

The next stop will be in Tampa, Florida on March 14, 2007, to be followed by a stop in San Diego, California in May.

WV Governor Joe Manchin addresses the Commission (seated at left) and hundreds of veterans in Chamber.

A packed House of Delegates Chamber served as an historic backdrop as hundreds of West Virginia veterans talked to the Commission on the Future for America’s Veterans and West Virginia’s political leadership.

Left: Peter Lilly, COO of CONSOL Energy, addresses a packed State House audience in Charleston. Right: Cecil Roberts, President of the United Mine Workers speaks about the future for veterans.

Hershel "Woody" Williams. West Virginia’s oldest living Congressional Medal of Honor awardee, received a standing ovation after making an impassioned presentation to the Commission. Standing behind "Woody" are Peter Lilly, Cecil Roberts, Coal Association President Bill Raney, and WV Governor Joe Manchin.